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Archive for July, 2011

Rebecca {Southern Bridal Portrait}

July 28, 2011

On one of those gloriously steamy days in June, Jennifer Bearden and I had the pleasure of whisking a few of our friends away for Rebecca’s bridal portrait. Rebecca is one of the talented ladies that works at Stems and she was game for pretty much anything, though she did insist we stop at the Mills House for a few shots.

Christina at Stems made a bouquet for her that combined peonies, garden roses, dahlias and there were even sprigs of lavender, which smells delicious and is relaxing. Hollie Wood, of Hollie Wood Style, was there with some great props and an excellent eye for scouting. Jennifer Bearden and I both were photographing, alternating angles and trying out new lenses and techniques and totally enjoying the creative process.

Here are a few of my shots and keep a look out for some of Jennifer’s too!

The Crew

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A Capella {Wedding Musicians}

July 25, 2011

This is another one of my faves from “the vault”.

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6 Months Ago

July 25, 2011

I realized that I haven’t blogged in a week (shame on moi!) and I’ve got weddings and portrait sessions galore to edit and post for you. But until then, I was scrolling through my folder of “faves” for a little eye candy to post in the interim. My eyes fell on this little guy. He’s about to turn 1 in a couple of weeks but this photo was taken at his 6 month birthday. My how they change!

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From the Journals: Maha Kumbha Mela 2001

July 17, 2011

I spent much of my 20’s traveling around the world, taking risks only 20 year olds take. All I had to worry about when I was out of the country was my dog and my car and finding someone to sublet the apartment. More went into it than that, really. But compared to now, it seems simple. I am always astounded when I read through old journals and peruse my old photos. That person who I was in the past is always way more interesting and daring that I ever gave her credit for. And skinnier, of course. I think a lot about journals these days as I am keeping one for Seamus. I’m sure that one day, I will look back on this time in my life just as fondly. It is amazing how much power written words and photos have to transport you back to a place you’d forgotten about.

From my journal dated January 19, 2001:

I was at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Alahabad, India. It has been recorded as the largest gathering of people on earth. Every 12 years, Hindus gather to cleanse their souls in the confluence of three holy rivers and to reset their karma.

“Instead of heading towards the boundaries of the mela, we swung around to walk down to the holy sangam, where on January 24^th, millions of people will bathe. It was a long walk, in the sun and heat, through the crowds, the mud, the street vendors, college-aged students coming up to us to practice their English. We listened to a marching band that tried to blast our eardrums with their baritones, a flamboyant trumpeter, drummers with real wooden sticks off the tree. They were all dressed in ancient dusty marching band costumes probably left from the British. They look as is they belonged in a museum, in some bygone era. There was a yoga master who bent over into a backbend for me to photograph, and I bought prayer like beads to wear. I really need a set of “pajamas”, the cotton pants and long shirt outfit the women wear, to be a little more authentic. But no matter how much I change my clothing, my hair and skin color will always give it away that I am not from around here. A guru who spoke fluent English blessed us; he applied the dot to our heads. He had sought us out, through the crowd.”

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Bits & Pieces of Our Day

July 13, 2011

Some days run smoothly and there’s time for everything. Other days are split into bits and pieces. On those days, it’s hard for me to get a grasp on whether I’ve done anything significant and memorable or if I’ve just measured out my day in bottles and naptimes. Today was one of those days where I couldn’t feel any measurable progress on anything I was working on. In an attempt to resurrect some sort of worth out of the day, I did what I knew would bring me some cheer and wouldn’t go down as a “waste of time”. I photographed the little man.

Despite the heat wave, we went outside. I put some frozen berries in a “fresh food feeder” to keep him occupied. I recently realized that I have a ton of shots of him in the pak n’ play or the highchair as it’s hard to photograph him these days without him being contained or without having someone around to help. So food bribes it was. I only had to fish a few blades of grass out of his mouth.

Enjoy!

This is one of my new faves. The lighting makes me think of Hitchcock. It was late afternoon sun coming through a south facing window.

Posted in Babies, Family | 1 Comment »

Wild Dunes Family Beach Portrait

July 11, 2011

Thank goodness the Isle of Palms has reversed their ban on professional photography on the beach as there are some great spots out there! I spent some time with this great family out there on the 3rd of July. I was afraid the beach would be over run with tourists, but because they were staying up in Wild Dunes, we had access to a gorgeous and uncrowded spot for their photo session.

Leave it to the kiddos to steal the show! (As they should!)

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Variation on a Theme

July 8, 2011

Just having a little fun while I edit some family beach photos I shot out at Wild Dunes recently.

This photos makes me think of….

1. Name that Tune! (as in, I can name that photo in 5 pixels!)

2. Crossstitch

3. Some kind of sci-fi story where a family evaporates into pixels

4. Feeling artsy (fartsy)

5. Color palettes

What does it make you think of?

Posted in Other Creative Pursuits | 4 Comments »

Michelle & Alan {Charleston Wedding}

July 7, 2011

I have had so much fun working with Michelle and Alan this past year. It all began with their engagement session last October in downtown Charleston. I just loved walking around with them and it became a big joke that their dog Froo Froo was more of the star than they were. Well, we know that wasn’t all true!

Fast forward to their Charleston wedding in June and the excitement continued. Michelle got ready at the Francis Marion Hotel and was one of the most cool, calm and collected brides I’ve ever seen. Even forgetting her veil at home and having to coordinate a relay race of friends and family to get it to the church on time didn’t seem to stress her too much. I love the relationship she has with her mom, sister, cousin and aunt. They each played a role in getting her dressed and they had a great time doing it. She wore a family heirloom cameo pinned on the sash of her dress.

My second shooter Sally and I had plans to meet Alan and his entourage of groomsmen and ushers at Waterfront Park for photos before the ceremony. Moments before the scheduled time for them to arrive, I practically broke out in a sweat worrying about what time they might actually arrive. You see, they were coming from Mount Pleasant in a trolley and the traffic in downtown Charleston on any given summer weekend is horrendous, especially off of East Bay Street with the new cruise ship port and boat loads of tourists. Well wouldn’t you know that they arrived right on time. I think that’s a wedding day miracle. (No one ever arrives for photos on time!)

Their wedding took place at Old Bethel United Methodist Church. One thing I especially love about that church is the way the light streams in through the stained glass windows. The church glows a golden amber and it makes for cool photos.

Afterward, everyone headed to the Country Club of Charleston for their grand reception. There were wild fires out of Georgia and the smoke had traveled all the way to us and gave the atmosphere a soft ethereal feel. Alan’s family originally come from Lebanon and once the right music came on, they went crazy on the dance floor. Everyone got into it and circles were formed around Alan and Michelle. What a great way to get the energy flowing!

At the end of the night, they ran through a shower of flower petals and then jumped into the father of the bride’s Porsche with Alan at the wheel. Off to the land of Mr. & Mrs. they go! Congratulations McMahons!!!

I love this shot of Michelle. She’s such a natural beauty with a great smile.

The rings!

Sally Watts got this great shot of Alan during the groomsmen photos. I love combining the traditional group shots with candids, it’s a great mix of tradition and spontaneity.

This is Alan’s niece, she was one of two flowergirls. I just love this shot and all those curls!

Thisis another one of my faves. i love the action and the moment.

Old Bethel United Methodist Church in Charleston, SC They had three ministers!

I have to admit, I always oscillate on where to stand to take photos of the wedding recessional. Do I stand at the back of the aisle with a flash and get a more traditional shot, or do I pop outside right before the bride and groom so that I can focus on the love and tenderness that comes out as they realize it’s official, they are man and wife?! Yep, I opt for the second option these days. It’s a lot more emotionally charged and you get photos like this.

Rock on!

I love this shot too, especially how the background looks so soft and otherworldly.

Their wedding cake was made by a friend of theirs, I believe. Whomever it was did an excellent job!

This is a special relationship right here.

Getting down!

This one’s out of place in terms of the sequence of shots, but it’s just a fun shot of the wedding party!

Bon voyage!

Hotel: Francis Marion Hotel

Ceremony: Old Bethel United Methodist Church

Reception: Country Club of Charleston

Flowers:

Cake:

Band:

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Catch the Wave

July 5, 2011

Posted in Babies, Children, Family | 1 Comment »

Deana and Marty {The Ocean Course at Kiawah}

July 2, 2011

Deana and Marty have known each other since high school. In fact, they even went on a date back then, but neither of them remember it very well. Who knew that years later, they would be walking up the aisle arm and arm?

Fast forward to the present day and cue the theme song to the Brady Bunch as this is a marriage not just between Deana and Marty, but also between their two families. You see, between them, they have five kids who’s ages all fall right in a row. (They are 7, 8, 9, 10 and 12!)

I felt very honored to be there to capture their petite wedding at the Ocean Course at Kiawah. Hope Sweeney, of Adventures in Charleston, and Lindsay Shanks of Tiger Lily helped to coordinate their intimate affair. Brian Morgan of Saint Andrews in Mount Pleasant officiated.

Congratulations Deana and Marty!!!

Deana’s boys walk her down the aisle

Everyone in their new family was a part of the wedding. I like how their officiant, Brian Morgan had them all join hands in a circle to put emphasis on these families joining, not just their mom and dad.

I like how they got to be in the big official book of Saint Andrew’s weddings!

The Murphy Bunch

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